John Lewis and Waitrose have announced plans to offer equal maternity and paternity leave, as well as paid time off for those who experience a miscarriage.
From the autumn, all employees will be offered 26 weeks of paid leave when they have a baby – 14 weeks at full pay and 12 weeks at 50% of their contractual pay.
The benefits will apply to staff who have worked for the John Lewis Partnership for at least one year, and will be available regardless of how someone becomes a parent.
Employees who suffer the loss of a pregnancy will also be entitled to take two weeks’ leave with pay.
In addition, they will have access to emotional support through the company’s free counselling and mental health services.
Under normal employment laws, new mums can claim Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) for up to 39 weeks.
You get 90% of your average weekly earnings (before tax) for the first six weeks and £151.97or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks.
While for dads, there is paid Paternity Leave which is either one or two weeks.
The rate of Statutory Paternity Pay is also the lowest of either £151.97 or 90% of your average weekly earnings.
John Lewis Partnership chair Dame Sharon White said: “As an employee-owned business, equality matters to us.
“We want John Lewis and Waitrose to be a place for everyone and for people from all walks of life to feel valued so they can thrive in our business.
“We want to be there for our Partners to support them in important life moments, whether that’s stepping into the world of work for the first time, or becoming a parent.”
Felicia Willow, chief executive of the Fawcett Society said: “It’s great to see the John Lewis Partnership supporting working mothers and fathers to look after their children.
“We need more UK business to follow this example and enable both parents to take parental leave.
“The expectation that childcare falls to mothers helps the gender pay gap and many other workplace inequalities to thrive.“
